ACTS of anti-social behaviour and intimidation are ongoing within council estates in Letterkenny, a local councillor warned this week. Cllr Neil Clarke said such problems were happening in different parts of the town and called on the local authority to take whatever action was necessary to protect tenants and their property.
"It's not area-specific," he said.
"There is some of it in Oldtown, in Glencar and in Ballyraine. In some areas the anti-social behaviour is going on quite a lot and adults are being intimidated in their own houses. We have to identify what the underlying cause of this is," he added.
Cllr Clarke claimed there were flaws in the way in which housing estates are planned.
"I think we should have an optimum of maybe twenty or thirty houses, facing onto a green area," he said.
He added that in his era, people didn't need to lock their doors when leaving their homes but that day was now gone.
Cllr Gerry McMonagle seconded Cllr Clarke's motion but suggested that the problems could be tackled with a multi-agency approach. He also argued that the Town Council had a good record when it came to dealing with local residents associations.
"There are only a small number of people misbehaving. A lot of the stuff going on is being carried out by minors but in many cases there is no supervision from their parents or guardians," he said.
Meanwhile, it has been claimed the employment of a Welfare Housing Officer could go a long way to easing problems such a rowdy tenants, anti-social behaviour and other difficulties in council housing estates.
Councillor Dessie Larkin called on the local authority to employ such an officer given the amount of housing the council has and proposes to develop in the years ahead.
Cllr Larkin said the Welfare Officer would have a key role to play in liaising with tenants and sorting out any problems in estates. While the role would involve offering advice and support to council tenants he hoped it would also help the local authority in stamping out anti social behaviour by a minority of social housing occupants.
"In cases of anti social behaviour it is the minority who are making life tough for the majority of tenants and that's where I see the role of the Welfare Officer coming in to find what is causing the underlying problem and to state the consequences if it continues," he said.
"I can see the Welfare Officer helping tenants on their rights and the regulations laid down in the rent agreement. The officer would also be able to assist tenants in areas such as accessing health services, utility bills, rent agreements, outlining the guidelines regarding pets and setting up Residents Associations," he said.
"In any new estate there are teething problems and we need to have somebody who could liaise with tenants and improve relations between the council and tenants," he added.
Cllr Gerry McMonagle said it was vital to have such an officer to point tenants in the right direction while Cllr Neil Clarke said there was funding available for 'Community Wardens' and this scheme had been going on a trial basis in Galway. Cllr Damien Blake paid tribute to the staff in the housing section of Letterkenny Town Council who he said were doing excellent work.
County Manager Michael McLoone said he would explore the possibility of having a welfare officer but would first engage with the current staff of the housing section.
